Elementary principals report on school improvement plans

By CHRISTINA STYAN

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southcoasttoday.com

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Posted Dec. 19, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Posted Dec. 19, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

By CHRISTINA STYAN

Special Writer

DARTMOUTH — Potter School Principal Heidi Brooks presented the strategies for improving MCAS performance scores and the challenges for reaching growth targets as part of the new school improvement plan at the Dartmouth School Committee meeting Monday night.

"For English Language Arts (ELA), Potter is in the 83 percentile while the state average is 88 percentile. We are concerned with this trend and have a sense of urgency. We are watching this and looking at the high needs student population data," she remarked.

The improvement plan includes strategies which cover the instructional, cultural, and resource core for the school, she added.

Ms. Brooks said she wants to close the proficiency gap for low-income students with several action steps. One step would increase instruction in answering the open response questions; another includes grade level teams who would target learning standards by providing a variety of tier based instruction opportunities.

Students could receive increased instruction in math with full time math specialists, she advised.

Potter offers after-school tutorial services to students who are in jeopardy of failing MCAS. "We received funding in the budget for extra help; 18 individuals participated in the services. We had a positive response; parents and students wanted more classes," Ms. Brooks told the School Committee.

An ELA winter session is also planned, she added.

Ms. Brooks described the cultural core of the plan that emphasizes positive student behavior. "We have had 30 students involved in minor incidents, and seven students involved in major infractions," she added. To improve behavior patterns, Potter students take part in the 'Catch me at my best' program. "We want to increase communication with parents and promote healthy lifestyles," she noted.

Some of the FY13 challenges Ms. Brooks spoke of during her presentation included requesting a full time math specialist and maximizing learning for all students. "We want to strengthen relationships with families and address behavioral challenges," she commented.

Quinn School Principal Colin Grimsey noted his school improvement plan would cover the physical, social and emotional well being of students utilizing data analysis aligned with the new accountability system.

"We are looking at different instructional strategies due to a slight downward trend in ELA in the composite Performance Index," he explained. A key strategy is common planning time where teachers discuss each student's work, he noted.

The EnVision math program and StoryTown reading series both have benchmarks tests to monitor the progress of students. "We have started a Data Wall. Every student in the school has a card to record their progress. This is a tremendous impact on the facility," Mr. Grimsey said.

The cards hang on a wall and teachers may move them according to an individual's progress.

Assistant Principals Rick Porter and Melissa McHenry described the plans as part of the cultural core improvement plan. They have been looking at ways to improve relationships with families, students and staff.

Quinn has started a Foster Grandparent program, and fifth grade students will be publishing a fifth grade newspaper. "We currently have two grandparents in the program, and 100 volunteers in the class rooms. We recently held the first annual Quinn Walk-a-Thon," Mr. Porter noted.

The students also participate in the Second Step Program and Dimes for Deeds. "We want to utilize positive behavioral instruction. School-wide, we have posters that highlight responsible behavior both at home and on the bus," Mr. Porter added.

Both assistant principals also organize fun activities that reinforce positive behavior by offering incentives. Students participate in Check In and Check Out and Mix it up Day. "Strong behavior management will be better for academics and students will come to school prepared for better academics," Mr. Porter said.